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Being the second largest country in the world means having a lot of different sights to offer every kind of traveler.
Although Canada is home to 20 World Heritage sites, well-known places also mean having to deal with bigger crowds. Thankfully, Canada has so much to offer that there are spots not even a lot of Canadians know about!
Read on and find out what to include in your next Canada travel itinerary.
5 Lesser Known Places in Canada
Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park
You can only enjoy the dunes via floatplane.
There are many different ways to fly to the Athabasca sand dunes, a sprawling field of sand that stretches for 100 kilometers along the southern shore of Lake Athabasca. Located in Uranium City, the unique wildlife can’t be found anywhere else.
Far from being just a long expanse of sand, Athabasca has rivers and lakes, as well as a beach you can camp at before you hike and explore the forests.
Travelers are few and far between, and it feels very serene and quiet – like you’re standing amidst pure, undisturbed nature. One can even say that the shifting sands almost feel alive. Honestly, there’s no other place like this in the world.
Quttinirpaaq National Park
Located in the Arctic area of Nunavut, Quttinirpaaq National Park is so far north that Inuits call it “The Place at the Top of the World.”
Dotted with glaciers, ice caps, tundra and fjords, the park is so remote that less than 20 people visited it in 2016.
But don’t let the numbers fool you into thinking there’s nothing here for tourists to do. In fact, Quttinirpaaq has two backpacking routes you can enjoy. There’s one between Tanquary Fiord and Lake Hazen, and another path that loops around Ad Astra and the Viking ice caps.
Reaching this park may not be easy, but it boasts one of the most undeniably unique experiences you can have anywhere. Just be sure to keep yourself warm, and be prepared to spot some Arctic hares, walruses, and gyrfalcons.
The Riverwood Conservancy in Brampton
There’s something about this place that immediately draws you in.
Right in the heart of Mississauga lies The Riverwood Conservancy. Upon entering, you’ll be greeted with a calm serenity as you take in all the beautiful trees and birds you can see and hear fluttering about.
You almost feel like you’re in a rainforest with how close you are to the flora and fauna here. It’s one of the best walks in the area, where you can just wander and wonder.
There’s plenty of parking space, and you can take as many pictures as you want, all without having to take a long car ride. The hike is easy, and there are benches to rest and take a picture at.
This green space is truly a must-see and it doesn’t have to last only one visit. In fact, you can live nearby, see this page for new housing and condominiums in the area.
Thunder Cove on Prince Edward Island
This hidden gem in Darnley boasts red sands and unique rock formations. Sandstone cliffs border the beach, the rust-colored beach makes for a lovely walk, and Teacup Rock is one of its most popular tourist features.
Not a lot of people visit this place, which makes for a quiet getaway just an hour away from Charlottetown. Be aware though – parking can be limited. But it’s all worth it because you’ll be greeted by a stunningly clean beach with warm, inviting waters and a scenic shoreline to boot.
Secret Bamboo Garden in Toronto
This secret bamboo garden is the perfect spot to de-stress.
While more urban than our earlier picks, this place isn’t any less scenic. The Bamboo Garden inside the University of Toronto’s Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research boasts 4-meter-tall bamboo, giving you peace and zen all in the heart of downtown Toronto.
It’s the perfect urban escape if you just need to recharge and get in touch with nature. Visitors are free to come and sit on the benches. It’s a green space with German architecture that serves as the perfect forest background.
There you have it! Five lesser-known places you can visit in Canada where you can escape the crowds.
